May 16-18, 2025 | Hillsboro Airport | Hillsboro, OR

Bob Carlton – FoxJet Sailplane

Bob Carlton is a longtime air show performer, known for his breathtaking performances in sailplanes. His unique demonstration shows off the incredible capabilities of sailplanes for audiences all across the country.

He flies the FoxJet Sailplane, which is unique to the air show world, because unlike normal sailplanes, this one has two twin jet engines! It allows him to take his show to new heights – literally!

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About Bob Carlton

Bob Cartlon started flying in 1979 and has more than 2,000 hours logged in various aircraft. In 1993, he began flying air shows professionally.

Bob Carlton visible in the cockpit of a FoxJet sailplane flying over forested terrain with light smoke trailing.

He is known for flying his Salto sailplane at air shows. However, he recently added an additional plane, the FoxJet Sailplane. He flies the FoxJet in daytime and nighttime performances.

Awards

2017 – Art Scholl Memorial Showmanship Award
2015 – Soaring Society of America’s Chairman’s Award
2015 – Bill Barber Award for Showmanship Award

Learn more about Bob Carlton: https://www.vertigoairshows.com/

About the FoxJet Sailplane

The FoxJet takes sailplanes to a new level, with not one, but TWO jet engines attached.

Bob Carlton performing a steep bank in a white FoxJet sailplane, trailing smoke against a clear blue sky.

How does this differ from other sailplanes? Normally, a sailplane is attached to a towplane that brings it up to a certain altitude, they drop the tow rope, and the pilot soars down to the ground in the sailplane. Once it reaches the ground and lands, the performance is over.

However, thanks to its engines, the FoxJet can soar through the air on its own. This means the show can go on!

What to Expect at the Show

Night Show: Bob’s night show is a true light show, with over 800 fireballs and bomb bursts! He mixes it with a series of aerobatic maneuvers that continue to highlight the incredibly unique capabilities of the FoxJet! See it in person at KABOOM! on Friday, May 16.

Bob Carlton banking a FoxJet sailplane at night as pyrotechnic sparks stream from the wings.

Night Show Cockpit video: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1957646868363374

Day Show: During the day, Bob’s performance is a combination of graceful high and low aerobatic maneuvers such as loops, rolls, hammerheads, and more!

Bob Carlton climbing vertically in a FoxJet sailplane, leaving a vertical smoke trail against the blue sky.Top-down view of Bob Carlton flying a FoxJet sailplane over desert landscape during an aerobatic maneuver.

Learn more about Bob Carlton: https://www.vertigoairshows.com/

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Bob Carlton flying a FoxJet sailplane directly toward the camera at low altitude, with desert terrain and distant mountains in the background.

Bob Carlton visible in the cockpit of a FoxJet sailplane flying over forested terrain with light smoke trailing.

Bob Carlton performing a steep bank in a white FoxJet sailplane, trailing smoke against a clear blue sky.

Bob Carlton flying a FoxJet sailplane while creating curved smoke trails during an aerobatic maneuver.

Top-down view of Bob Carlton flying a FoxJet sailplane over desert landscape during an aerobatic maneuver.

Bob Carlton climbing vertically in a FoxJet sailplane, leaving a vertical smoke trail against the blue sky.Top-down view of Bob Carlton flying a FoxJet sailplane over desert landscape during an aerobatic maneuver.

Bob Carlton turning a FoxJet sailplane at night while pyrotechnic sparks arc across the sky.

Bob Carlton performing a night aerobatic maneuver in a FoxJet sailplane, producing long spark trails and glowing wing lights.

Bob Carlton banking a FoxJet sailplane at night as pyrotechnic sparks stream from the wings.

Bob Carlton flying a FoxJet sailplane at night with wingtip pyrotechnics creating bright spark trails in the dark sky.